Barbecue sauce, also known as BBQ sauce, is a saucy condiment that is commonly slathered on grilled or smoked meats like ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and more. It adds a delicious sweet, tangy, and savory flavor that takes barbecued meats to the next level.
While there are many store-bought BBQ sauce options available, homemade BBQ sauce allows you to create your own signature flavor. It also gives you control over the thickness – allowing you to make it as thick or thin as you prefer.
If your homemade BBQ sauce turns out thinner than you expected, there are several easy methods you can use to thicken it up quickly and easily. This guide will outline multiple techniques to help you learn how to make bbq sauce thicker.
Why BBQ Sauce Thickness Matters
The thickness of BBQ sauce affects its ability to coat and cling to meat properly. A BBQ sauce that is too thin and watery will drip right off the food as you try to coat it. It will pool at the bottom of your plate rather than sticking to the meat.
A thick, glazy BBQ sauce clings well and creates that finger-lickin’ sticky coating that good barbecue is known for. It also allows the sauce flavor to concentrate on the meat longer as you eat it.
If you want your BBQ sauce to properly coat and caramelize on ribs, chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, and more – having the right thickness is key.
So if you find your homemade BBQ sauce is too thin, don’t worry – we’ve got plenty of simple ways to adjust the thickness and achieve the perfect glazy consistency.
How to Tell if Your BBQ Sauce is Too Thin
There are a few easy ways to identify if your BBQ sauce needs to be thicker:
- Consistency – If the BBQ sauce seems very watery and pours quickly like juice, it is too thin. Properly thickened sauce should have more viscosity and be similar to molasses or ketchup in thickness.
- Coating ability – When you coat a piece of meat in the sauce, it should cling and stick rather than quickly running off. Thin sauce will drip right off.
- Puddling – If you notice the BBQ sauce pooling at the bottom of your plate or food tray when served, that’s a sign it’s too thin. Thick sauce will glaze onto the meat.
- Mouthfeel – The sauce should coat your mouth with flavor. Thin sauce will feel very watery. Thick sauce will have a more robust mouthfeel.
- Caramelization – Thicker BBQ sauce will caramelize onto meat better when grilled or smoked. Thin sauce won’t develop that sticky crust.
If you notice any of these issues, use the following tips to modify the thickness of your BBQ sauce to achieve the perfect texture.
How to Thicken BBQ Sauce
There are several easy methods you can use at home to quickly thicken up a thin BBQ sauce:
Simmer the Sauce Longer
One of the easiest ways to thicken BBQ sauce is to simmer it longer. Simply pouring the sauce back into the saucepan and allowing it to simmer uncovered for 10-20 minutes longer can thicken it up via evaporation.
As the water evaporates, it will concentrate the flavors and ingredients, naturally developing a thicker texture.
Stir the BBQ sauce occasionally as it simmers so it doesn’t burn on the bottom. Keep heating until it reaches your desired thickness.
Add Cornstarch
Cornstarch is an excellent thickening agent that can be whisked into BBQ sauce. It dissolves seamlessly into the liquid to create a thicker consistency quickly.
To use cornstarch, first mix together 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously until it forms a smooth slurry with no lumps.
Then simply stir the cornstarch slurry into your BBQ sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, allowing it to thicken up. Taste and add more cornstarch slurry if needed.
Cornstarch thickens the BBQ sauce rapidly while avoiding changes to the flavor. Just a small amount can make a big difference in the thickness.
Mix in Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is a secret ingredient that many good BBQ sauces use for extra thickness. The concentrated paste adds rich tomato flavor while giving the sauce more body.
Start by stirring 1-3 tablespoons of tomato paste into the BBQ sauce over low heat until blended. Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes to thicken up.
For an even thicker sauce, you can create a tomato paste slurry like the cornstarch method. Mix 2 tablespoons each of tomato paste and water until smooth, then stir into sauce and simmer.
A little tomato paste goes a long way for thickness without overpowering the other flavors. It enhances tangy tomato BBQ sauces especially well.
Add Pureed Vegetables
Pureeing vegetables is another excellent way to add thickness to thin BBQ sauce. Carrots, onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms can all be used.
First cook your vegetables until very soft, either by simmering them in the BBQ sauce or roasting in the oven. Then transfer them to a food processor or blender, adding a splash of sauce liquid. Puree until very smooth.
Stir the vegetable puree back into your BBQ sauce. Let it simmer 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors. The puree will lend thickness while also adding a boost of extra flavor.
You can also add pureed canned tomatoes or roasted sweet potatoes for thickness. Aim for 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup puree so it doesn’t overpower the sauce.
Mix in Cooked Beans
Cooked beans can be easily pureed right into a BBQ sauce to make it thicker. Black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans all work well.
Simply puree 1⁄2 to 1 cup of cooked beans with a bit of sauce liquid until completely smooth. Then stir the bean puree into your BBQ sauce and let simmer until thickened up.
The bean puree adds thickness from fiber and starch while providing a boost of plant-based protein. Beans also enhance the savory, meaty flavor of the BBQ sauce.
Blend in Oatmeal
Quick oats blended into a BBQ sauce is an easy way to gain a thicker, more substantial texture.
First, use a blender or food processor to process the dry oats into a very fine powder. You want the oats as finely ground as possible.
Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of the oat powder to your sauce and let simmer 5 minutes until thickened up. The oats will lend thickness without altering the sauce flavor.
Steel cut or old fashioned oats can also work if you grind them to a super fine consistency first. The fine powder blends seamlessly into the sauce.
Reduce Sauce Over Heat
For quick thickness, you can let your thin BBQ sauce simmer over low heat longer to reduce down. This will decrease the water content and concentrate the flavor.
Pour the sauce into a wide skillet or saucepan over low heat. Let it simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until the sauce has reduced by 1⁄4 or 1⁄3 of the volume. The more it reduces, the thicker it will become.
Monitor the thickness as it cooks so you don’t over-reduce the sauce too much. You want to retain the original flavors while just getting the right consistency.
Add Gelatin
Unflavored gelatin like Knox can be used to give a thick, glossy texture to BBQ sauce. Gelatin molecules bind with liquid to create a thicker consistency.
Mix 1 teaspoon gelatin with 1 tablespoon cool water. Let it sit 5 minutes to bloom and activate. Then stir the gelatin into warm BBQ sauce and simmer just until combined.
For thicker sauce, use up to 2 teaspoons gelatin bloomed in 2 tablespoons water. The gelatin gives it a thicker mouthfeel without changing the flavors.
Incorporate Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is a thickener and stabilizer used in many gluten-free recipes. Just a tiny amount can thicken up BBQ sauce effectively.
Mix 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon xanthan gum with 1 tablespoon water first. Whisk vigorously until no clumps remain. Then stir the xanthan slurry into your sauce.
Bring the BBQ sauce to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer 5 minutes, stirring often. Check thickness and add more xanthan gum slurry if needed.
A little xanthan gum goes a long way, so start with just 1⁄4 teaspoon. It dissolves seamlessly into the BBQ sauce for stable thickness.
Add Flour
All-purpose flour or whole wheat flour can be whisked into a BBQ sauce to create a thicker consistency. The starch in the flour absorbs liquid and binds it.
First, make a slurry by mixing 2 tablespoons flour with 2 tablespoons cool water. Vigorously whisk until fully combined and smooth.
Gradually stir the flour slurry into the simmering BBQ sauce. Simmer 5 minutes, whisking often, until thickened up. Add more slurry if needed.
Flour lends thickness without dulling the bright, tangy flavors in BBQ sauce. Just 2-3 tablespoons does the trick for most thin sauces.
Blend in Cooked Pasta
Cooked pasta can be blended right into a thinner BBQ sauce to create a pleasantly thick texture. Elbow macaroni, rotini, or small shells work best.
Boil the pasta until very soft, then drain. Transfer to a blender with 2-3 tablespoons of BBQ sauce. Blend until completely smooth.
Stir the pureed pasta into the remaining BBQ sauce in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat about 5 minutes until thick. The starch released from the pasta lends thickness.
Aim for 1⁄2 to 1 cup cooked pasta blended into the sauce. You still want the BBQ flavor to come through over the mild pasta flavor.
Tips for Getting the Right BBQ Sauce Thickness
- Add thickeners slowly and gradually until desired thickness is reached. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.
- Whisk slurries first before adding to prevent clumping of starches.
- Simmer sauce after adding thickeners to activate them fully.
- Chill sauce overnight in fridge, then reheat – this can make sauce thicker.
- When simmering, use a wide pot so more liquid evaporates to concentrate sauce faster.
- If sauce gets too thick, thin it by stirring in water, stock, juice, or beer a little at a time.
- For sauces too thin to cling well to meat, consider using it more as a dipping sauce.
- Commercial thickeners made for cooking like cornstarch tend to work better than improvised thickeners.
- Don’t boil sauce hard after adding thickeners. Gentle simmering prevents separating or clumping.
- Pureeing fiber-rich fruits and veggies into sauce adds thickness without dulling bright flavors.
Storing Thickened BBQ Sauce
To retain the perfect thickness after all your hard work, be mindful of how you store the BBQ sauce:
- Let sauce cool completely before transferring to storage containers.
- Store in airtight containers in the fridge up to 1 week.
- Frozen BBQ sauce will last 4-6 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.
- If chilled sauce seems too thick, simply stir in a splash of water or stock before reheating to thin out.
Troubleshooting Thin BBQ Sauce
If your BBQ sauce still seems too thin after using the thickening tricks in this guide, consider these troubleshooting tips:
- Sauce separates – Whisk in a pinch of xanthan gum or gelatin to stabilize and thicken.
- Sauce clumps – Strain clumps out. Switch to cornstarch or flour for smoother thickness.
- Flavor dulls – Brighten flavor with a dash of vinegar or hot sauce.
- Too tomatoey – Balance with more sweet, spicy, savory flavors.
- Thickness doesn’t hold – Ensure adequate simmering time to activate starch thickeners fully.
- Odd texture – Start over with simpler thickeners like tomato paste or reducing over heat.
- Too thick – Gradually thin out with water, stock, juice, or beer until saucy consistency is reached.
With the techniques in this guide, you now have all the knowledge needed to easily adjust the thickness of your BBQ sauce to achieve the perfect sticky glaze. Getting the right texture can take your barbecue ribs, chicken, and more to the next level. Experiment with different thickeners to customize the sauce density exactly how you like it. Now go fire up the grill and slather on that finger-lickin’ homemade BBQ sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions About Thickening BBQ Sauce
Here are answers to some common questions about getting the right thickness for homemade BBQ sauce:
What is the best thickness for BBQ sauce?
The ideal BBQ sauce thickness coats food well without being too sticky or thick. Aim for the consistency of ketchup or pancake syrup. Thin enough to pour but thick enough to cling to meat.
Why did my BBQ sauce come out thin?
Excess liquids like juice, alcohol, vinegar, or water can cause thin BBQ sauce. Cooking too briefly can fail to thicken it properly. Acidic ingredients prevent thickening too.
Is thick BBQ sauce better?
Thicker BBQ sauce adheres better to meat for flavorful coating and glazing. But sauce can be too thick and sticky. Find the ideal thickness that coats without drowning the flavor.
Can I thin premade thick BBQ sauce?
Yes, stir in small amounts of water, juice, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, beer, or soda to thin out bottled BBQ sauce gradually.
Does BBQ sauce thicken as it cools?
BBQ sauce can thicken slightly as it cools but not significantly. For best results, thicken sauce while hot on the stove with above methods.
How do you make BBQ sauce tacky?
For tacky BBQ sauce that adheres well, thicken with cornstarch slurry, reduced tomato paste, oatmeal, or pureed vegetables. Simmer well after adding thickener.
Can I use flour to thicken BBQ sauce?
Yes, an all-purpose or whole wheat flour slurry whisked into the sauce and simmered works well to thicken without dulling flavors.
What home ingredients thicken sauce?
Tomato paste, pureed veggies, oatmeal, beans, cornstarch, flour, gelatin, reduced broths, and small amounts of nut butters can thicken sauce at home.
Does baking BBQ sauce thicken it?
Baking BBQ sauce on meat causes it to caramelize and thicken up. But baking alone won’t reduce water content and thicken sauce by itself sufficiently.
Final Thoughts
Achieving the perfect thickness for homemade BBQ sauce is important for it to properly coat and cling to meats. With the simple tricks in this guide, you can easily modify thinner sauce for fuller body and stickiness.
Cornstarch, tomato paste, pureed vegetables, beans, oatmeal, and flour are pantry-friendly ingredients to try that won’t disrupt flavor. Simmering the sauce longer or reducing over heat also naturally concentrates it.
With the right adjustments, you can take thin, watery BBQ sauce and give it the ideal sticky glaze texture. Now slather up those ribs, chicken, or pork sandwiches for finger-licking barbecue everyone will love!